Alan Saret, Post-Minimalist Sculptor Known for Wire Works, Dies at 81
Alan Saret, a sculptor associated with SoHo's Post-Minimalist scene, died at 81. Born on Christmas Day 1944 in New York City, he studied architecture at Cornell University under Paolo Soleri and later art at Hunter College under Robert Morris. His signature wire sculptures debuted at Bykert Gallery in 1967, praised by critic Emily Wasserman for their airy, lyrical quality. Saret helped found 112 Greene Street (now White Columns) and worked briefly as an engineer at the Port Authority, where he pilfered graph paper for his 'Gang Drawings.' In 1968, he appeared in Morris's '9 in a Warehouse' at Leo Castelli Gallery and the Whitney Annual. He won a Guggenheim fellowship in 1969 and participated in 'When Attitudes Become Form' at Kunsthalle Bern. After the 1971 India Triennale, he stayed in India for spiritual studies. He installed Ghosthouse at Artpark in 1975 and The Hole at MoMA PS1 in 1976, which remains on view. Saret moved to Harrison, Arkansas in 1980, and his 2007 Drawing Center exhibition reintroduced him to a new generation. He joined Karma gallery in 2021, which held three solo shows, including a 2024 survey. Saret never married and had no children.
Key facts
- Alan Saret died at age 81.
- He was born on Christmas Day 1944 in New York City.
- He studied architecture at Cornell University under Paolo Soleri.
- He studied art at Hunter College under Robert Morris.
- His debut solo show was at Bykert Gallery in 1967.
- He helped found 112 Greene Street, which became White Columns.
- He appeared in '9 in a Warehouse' at Leo Castelli Gallery in 1968.
- He won a Guggenheim fellowship in 1969.
- He participated in 'When Attitudes Become Form' at Kunsthalle Bern in 1969.
- He rejected participation in 'Anti-Illusion: Procedures/Materials' at the Whitney.
- He featured in the 1971 India Triennale and stayed in India for spiritual studies.
- He installed Ghosthouse at Artpark in 1975.
- He installed The Hole at P.S. 1 (now MoMA PS1) in 1976, still on view.
- He moved to Harrison, Arkansas in 1980.
- His 2007 Drawing Center exhibition was his first solo since 1990.
- He joined Karma gallery in 2021.
- Karma held three solo shows, including a 2024 survey.
- He never married and had no children.
Entities
Artists
- Alan Saret
- Paolo Soleri
- Robert Morris
- Emily Wasserman
- Lynda Benglis
- Brice Marden
- Louise Bourgeois
- Donald Judd
- Alexander Calder
Institutions
- Karma
- Cornell University
- Hunter College
- Bykert Gallery
- White Columns
- Port Authority
- The Drawing Center
- Leo Castelli Gallery
- Whitney Annual
- Guggenheim Fellowship
- Kunsthalle Bern
- India Triennale
- Clock Tower Gallery
- Jack Shainman Gallery
- Artpark
- National Endowment for the Arts
- P.S. 1
- MoMA PS1
- Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles
- Artforum
Locations
- New York City
- New York
- United States
- SoHo
- Tribeca
- Lewiston
- Harrison
- Arkansas
- Santa Barbara
- Costa Mesa
- New Delhi
- India
- Bern
- Switzerland